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Sunday, March 26, 2017 Jumada II 27, 1438 AH Tamim ton as GULF TIMES Bangladesh thrash Sri Lanka SPORT Page 7

MOTOGP Vinales to start from pole aft er rain stops qualifying Despite the best eff orts of the organisers to drain the water, they couldn’t get the track ready in time

By Joe Koraith THE GRID Doha . Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) ain, rain go away, Come again 2. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki another day… Yesterday it was Ecstar (GSX-RR) not just the kids but also the 3. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) adults who were singing this 4. Johann Zarco FRA Monster Yamaha Rnursery rhyme at the Losail Interna- Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* tional Circuit yesterday. But it didn’t 5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team go away quickly enough, resulting in (Desmosedici GP17) the qualifying sessions for the opening 6. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Rac- round of the MotoGP being cancelled. ing (Desmosedici GP16) The combined times of the three free 7. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) practice sessions have been used to de- 8. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha termine the grid for today’s race. Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* This means that Yamaha rider Mav- 9. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda erick Vinales has got his fi rst pole posi- (RC213V) tion of the 2017 season. In second po- 10. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha sition is Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone and MotoGP (YZR-M1) completing the third row is Honda’s 11. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Rac- ing (Desmosedici GP17) Marc Marquez. Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo 12. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team is the rider most aff ected by the can- (Desmosedici GP17) cellation of the qualifying sessions be- 13. Alvaro Bautista ESP Aspar MotoGP cause he will now start in 11th position Teamthe grid(Desmosedici GP16) on the grid. 14. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing SELFIE TIME: Bradley Smith It was a frustrating day for everyone (Desmosedici GP15) (R) of KTM factory team meets 15. Aleix Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia – from the riders to the fans. The riders Gresini (RS-GP) Nasser al-Attiyah, Olympic were keen to get out there and get those 16. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 shooting bronze medallist and valuable laps under their belt so that Marc VDS (RC213V) former Dakar Rally winner, at they could get the set-up perfect for the 17. Karel Abraham CZE Aspar MotoGP the Losail International race. The race organisers, considered Team (Desmosedici GP15) Circuit yesterday. the extraordinary situation yesterday, 18. Alex Rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar have decided that every class – Mo- (GSX-RR)* 19. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc toGP, Moto2, Moto3 will get 30 minutes VDS (RC213V) of warm-up today afternoon. This will 20. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Rac- “There were a lot of things that we dium,” he added. give the riders the time to fi ne tune the ing (Desmosedici GP16) wanted to test – electronics, full tank MotoGP safety chief Loris Capirossi 21. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini runs, tyres etc. I am little bit disap- said that the organisers tried everything (RS-GP)* pointed that we couldn’t ride the bike they could to ensure that the track was 22. Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Fac- on race set-up. But I will make the last ready but had to call off the sessions in tory Racing (RC16) adjustments during the practice ses- the end. “We thought we could resolve 23. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Fac- tory Racing (RC16) sion. I hope the weather stays nice,” the problem but in the end it turned said Vinales yesterday. out to be bigger than we understood it “The warm-up is important to check to be and we decided to cancel every- set-up and get ready for the races in the the grip level and then we will decide thing. The main problem of the track is evening. which set-up to use. I will look to get a no drainage because normally we don’t There were a lot of changes made to good start, push in the fi rst lap and try expect rain in Qatar,” said the Italian the schedule in the hope that qualify- and set my pace. There are many riders yesterday. ing could take place but the conditions that I need to watch out for,” he added. “We will be working through the didn’t allow any track activity. The key Defending champion Marquez, like night to try and resolve the conditions issues were the standing water left on every other rider, was looking forward as much as we can. We will be working the track in certain areas and the run- to run race simulations today but he all day today too to get the track to be in off areas being fl ooded. Despite the or- said that weather wasn’t something its best condition,” he added. ganisers employing pumps to drain the that one can control. “The weather is Capirossi also indicated that if the water and also using drying machines, something that you can’t do anything weather continued to crate havoc, the they couldn’t get the track ready in about. Safety of the riders is most im- race could be moved to Monday. “If we time. portant,” said Marquez. have rain, we will send the riders out There is rain forecast for today morn- “Starting on the front row is a good and they can decide if the conditions ing but nothing in the afternoon. The result for me. It’s not the best way to are good to race. If not, we could can- organisers are hoping that they can get achieve it but it’s good for me. Maverick cel the race and postpone it to Monday. the track ready in time for 30-minute will lead the race and will have a good But the decision will be taken tomorrow Floodlights reflect in the puddles of water at the Losail International Circuit Maverick Vinales practice sessions. pace. Our target is to fi nish on the po- (Sunday),” he said. yesterday. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil and agencies

FORMULA ONE Hamilton grabs pole, Vettel raises Ferrari hopes

Reuters On a cloudy day with the merest hint in the fi nal session yesterday but rued a testing, it was something of a surprise Melbourne of rain, 32-year-old Hamilton grabbed mistake in his fastest qualifying lap. that twice champion Fernando Alonso his 62nd pole in Formula One, holding “I lost it a bit in turn one... Anyway, survived the cut to Q2 and will start fi rm as Vettel and Bottas pushed hard great job,” Vettel said on his team radio. 13th on the grid. ewis Hamilton took pole for late in the session. It was still encouraging enough for His rookie team mate Stoff el Van- Mercedes at the season-open- After it wrapped up, the Briton rolled him to declare that the ‘scuderia’ could doorne will start 18th for the Honda- ing Australian Grand Prix yes- around the lakeside track with his index contend in today’s race, having shown powered team. Lterday but Sebastian Vettel fi nger raised, 10 years after his brilliant impressive pace and reliability during Canadian teenager Lance Stroll has raised hope of a Ferrari renaissance by debut at the same circuit when he qual- winter testing. had a memorable, if drama-fi lled, de- grabbing a spot on the front row. ifi ed fourth for McLaren and fi nished Red Bull’s Max Verstappen quali- but for Williams and the 18-year-old Hamilton’s fl ying lap of one minute third in the race.“It has been a fantastic fi ed fi fth but it was a forgettable day for was 19th fastest in Q1. 22.188 seconds set a new record at Al- weekend so far,” Hamilton told report- his teammate Daniel Ricciardo, whose He will start last on the grid, howev- bert Park but was only 0.268 seconds ers. hopes of becoming the race’s fi rst home er, due to a fi ve-place penalty for need- in front of German Vettel, off ering “I am really proud of my team, the winner spun out early in Q3. ing a new gearbox following a crash the tantalising prospect of a competi- guys have worked so hard to make the He took a spin at turn 14, ended up during practice earlier yesterday. tive championship after three years of car what it is today. in the gravel and will start 10th on the Antonio Giovinazzi, a late replace- domination by the Silver Arrows. “Valtteri has done a great job and it is grid. “I’m alright, sorry guys,” he said ment for Pascal Wehrlein after the Ger- Vettel left Hamilton’s new teammate great for Mercedes. It is close between on the team radio before his car was man pulled out with fi tness concerns, Valtteri Bottas frustrated in the second Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton (C) of Britain reacts after setting pole position us all and it will be a tight race.” towed off the track. will start 16th for Sauber after an im- row, the meat in a Ferrari sandwich next in qualifying alongside teammate Valtteri Bottas (L) of Finland and Ferrari’s After Hamilton dominated Friday With McLaren plagued by power unit pressive debut in qualifying, one be- to fourth fastest Kimi Raikkonen. Sebastian Vettel of Germany. Sport Page 2 practice, Vettel topped the time sheets and reliability problems during winter hind teammate Marcus Ericsson. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, March 26, 2017 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT FORMULA ONE ‘Fired up’ Ferrari in Fahad and Leigh the hunt, says Vettel Reuters to the cars, including fatter tyres Melbourne and improved aerodynamics, are seen levelling the playing fi eld and Ferrari showed impressive ebastian Vettel has seen reliability and pace during win- a number of false dawns ter testing. since crossing to Ferrari Vettel, who crossed to the excel in Qatar’s but the German could see glamour team in 2015 after four goodS times ahead for the ‘scude- F1 titles with Red Bull, has been ria’ after putting his car on the at pains to downplay Ferrari’s front row of the Australian Grand prospects and hopes of a heavy- Prix yesterday. weight championship battle with Vettel’s quickest lap was nearly three-times winner Hamilton. three-tenths of a second slower But with Hamilton and retired than Mercedes pole-sitter Lewis champion Nico Rosberg hogging fi rst ‘Esrar’ race Hamilton but the four-times the front row throughout 2016, world champion felt he had left a there would have been some sat- The event involved more than 250 local and GCC participants, who pushed better time out on the track. isfaction for Vettel to wedge his “I was not entirely happy with Ferrari between the Mercedes themselves to the limits in overcoming a range of specially designed obstacles my lap,” the German told report- cars at Albert Park. ers. Rosberg’s replacement Valtteri “I was pretty happy with the Bottas will start third in Sunday’s By Sports Reporter end, maybe not so much with the race, sandwiched between Vettel Doha Qatar’s double Olympic medallist in high-jump, opening of the lap where we lost and his Ferrari team mate Kimi Mutaz Barshim, awards a medal to a participant, a bit too much. Raikkonen. while at bottom the men’s and women’s winners “But I think Lewis did a very “I think we have a good car,” audi Arabia’s Fahad al-Sahli and pose on the podium. good lap so I don’t think — I said Vettel. “I think we are work- Britain’s Leigh Osborne won the would have loved to — but I don’t ing well as a team, things are im- men’s and women’s titles in the think pole was up for grabs. proving. Sfi rst ever “Esrar” obstacle race “Tomorrow I think we can do “We had a mixed day yesterday organised by Aspire Zone Foundation something in the race. As I said but the confi dence in the car was (AZF) and ‘Diverse’, a newly established the car feels good, we’ve im- there from testing and I think Qatari business that specialises in sports proved it so the pace feels much we’ve showed it again today. events management, yesterday at As- better than yesterday when we “It’s been a big winter for us, a pire. had some practice.” lot of change we’ve gone through Al-Sahli completed the race in 19 Mercedes have swept the driv- as a team the last 12 months. And minutes and 17 seconds, while Kuwaiti er and constructors’ champion- to the better, I think the team’s Jassem Alostath fi nished took 21 minutes ships for the last three years run- getting stronger, pushing very and 09 seconds to fi nish second. Qatari ning, while Ferrari failed to win a hard. I think people are fi red up participant Khamis Waleed fi nished in race last season. and we are motivated for tomor- third place with a time of 21 minutes and But a raft of technical changes row.” 30 seconds. In the women’s category, British con- testant Osborne won fi rst place after fi nishing the race in 25 minutes. She was Ferrari’s German driver followed in second place by Romanian Sebastian Vettel gestures Nicoleta Hodorogea, who fi nished just during a press conference in three seconds behind. Qatari contest- Melbourne yesterday. ant Reem al-Muftah came in third after fi nishing the race in 28 minutes and 46 seconds. “Esrar”, which is Arabic for determi- nation, involved more than 250 local and GCC participants, who pushed them- selves to the limits in overcoming a range of specially designed obstacles. Winners were awarded in the pres- ence of senior members from the or- ganising committee, including Nasser Abdullah al-Hajri, Director of PR and Communication at AZF, Abdullah al- Khater, Manager of Events at Aspire Zone Foundation, Al Anoud al-Misnad, a senior organising member from AZF, because an obstacle course is a full-body and Khaled Saadoun al-Kuwari, CEO of work out and tests very specifi c sets of ‘Diverse’. skills for activities like wall climbing, A number of well-known sporting the commando crawl and monkey bar. fi gures also took part including Olym- My hope is that we’ll see more events like pic medallist, Mutaz Barshim as well this in the region, and greater numbers Ricciardo sorry as home title hopes spin out as prominent local media personalities of local and regional sports enthusiasts such as Mohamed Saadoun al-Kuwari taking part. The quality of the planning Reuters, Melbourne: Daniel Ricciardo was left apologising to from BeIN Sports, Ali Al Meslemani undertaken by Aspire Zone Foundation the Red Bull garage after his hopes of becoming the Austral- from Al Jazeera, and Sabah al-Kuwari was exceptional. The organisers were ian Grand Prix’s first home winner spun out during qualifying from Al Rayyan TV. very welcoming and accepted our sug- yesterday Commenting on the event, Nasser gestions and recommendations for fu- The aff able 27-year-old will start 10th on the grid after he skidded Abdullah al-Hajri, Director of PR and ture years. I look forward to coming to at turn 14, ended up in the gravel and hit a barrier before his car Communication at AZF, said: “Today Doha again for next year’s edition.” was towed from the track. we launched a new sport in Qatar. Even Speaking about her participation in Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton took pole ahead of Ferrari’s second- though this is the fi rst event of its kind, the race, Qatari participant, Reem al- placed Sebastian Vettel. Australia has waited in vain for a local the turnout from participants has been Muftah said: “The standard of compe- champion but it would require a good dose of luck and some- very encouraging. We’re especially tition was very high, and the obstacles thing truly special from Ricciardo for the drought to end today. thrilled to see that participants from were really challenging, particularly “That was a tough one today. I don’t crash into the barriers often across the region travelled to Qatar to the monkey bar. I’m very proud to have and the last place I want to do that is at home,” he said. take part, including from Kuwait and achieved third place. It was a really fun “But I feel I crashed for the right reason, as I was basically push- Saudi Arabia. AZF is always keen to fi nd event and I encourage more people, and ing and trying to find the limit and these things happen. new activities to engage all members of particularly women, to participate next “So let’s say I’m not disappointed by the approach, it was just the community, no matter what their year. I’m very impressed with Aspire more of a frustrating outcome, starting 10th instead of being age. “This is a key part of our mission to Zone Foundation for introducing this under the top five. “I feel for the mechanics, because they’ve had promote a sports culture and encourage new sport to Qatar. The level of organi- a long week and now they’ve got a long night ahead of them.” active, healthy lifestyles in Qatar. Our sation involved in this competition was Ricciardo’s teenage team mate Max Verstappen qualified fifth partnership with Diverse has been very great, and I hope to participate in more but was scarcely more pleased, with his fastest lap more than a successful and refl ects our commitment of AZF’s events in the future.” second slower than pole-sitter Hamilton’s. to supporting young Qatari entrepre- The ‘Esrar’ obstacle course race is the Neither of the Red Bull drivers were enamoured with the per- neurs. I’m sure we’ll fi nd many more fi rst of its kind in Qatar. It was open to formance of their cars during Friday practice and Verstappen opportunities for further collaboration sports enthusiasts, athletes and non- complained his was still far from optimal after qualifying. with them as well as with other local athletes, men and women. The race con- “It’s been a bit of a tough weekend in general, I haven’t done as entrepreneurs who have unique and in- sisted of 14 obstacles including the com- much running as I would have liked,” he said. “The car is better novative ideas to off er.” mando crawl, tyres split steps, 6ft wall balanced now but it is clear to see we still have to gain a bit. Commenting on his victory, al-Sahli and 8 ft. wall and inverted wall climbing, “It’s not just in power; we built a car that is eff icient on the said: “This race is relatively new to the balance beam, sand bang carrying, ver- straights but it means we lose a bit of grip in cornering.” Middle East. It was quite challenging tical cargo net and monkey bar.

GRAND WELCOME

Qatari athletes arrived to a grand welcome in Doha after their successful participation in the Special Winter Games in Austria. Qatar bagged two gold medals, two silver and a bronze in the event. Qatar Olympic Committee Secretary-General Dr Thani al-Kuwari was among the off icials who received the athletes at the Hamad International Airport. Gulf Times Sunday, March 26, 2017 3 FOOTBALL

EUROPEAN WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS PREVIEW Germany aim to ‘ruthlessly’ extend Buff on reaches 1,000 record run

AFP has a thigh injury. Germany Baku captain Manuel Neuer is out with a calf injury, as is his Bay- ern Munich team-mate Jerome ecord-breaking Ger- Boateng, who is regaining fi t- as Italy, Spain cruise many face Azerbaijan ness after shoulder surgery. Ris- today with head coach ing star striker Timo Werner, 21, Joachim Loew insist- is out with a thigh injury having ‘We tried to do too much and missed some fluidity. But we were never in danger’ ingR their simple goal is to “ruth- made his debut against England. lessly” secure World Cup quali- In Neuer’s absence, Barce- fi cation as quickly as possible. lona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen AFP The defending champions is expected to play in goal. Paris are currently fi ve points clear “I have great faith in my in Group C and a fi fth straight players, we know we can fi nd win would take them a step the right solutions, and if we taly kept pace with Spain in closer to Russia 2018. play the way we can, we will European World Cup quali- After Wednesday’s friendly win the game,” added Loew. fying as goalkeeper Gianlui- home win over England, when “But the task in Baku is far gi Buff on played his 1,000th Lukas Podolski ended his in- from easy, at home Azerbaijan Iprofessional match in a 2-0 vic- ternational career with the fi nally beat Norway, so we have tory over Albania on Friday. winning goal, Germany aim to been warned.” A fi rst-half Daniele De Rossi be business-like in Baku. Azerbaijan’s results have penalty and late second from Even their plane on the fl ight improved under Croatian Ciro Immobile was enough to from Duesseldorf was called coach Robert Prosinecki. earn the Azzurri three points “Siegen” (‘To Win’). They were ranked as low as but they remain behind Spain Against England, Germany 126th in October 2014 when on goal diff erence at the top of did not concede a goal for the Berti Vogts walked away as Group G after La Rioja downed seventh match running to set a head coach following a 6-0 Israel 4-1. new national record. thrashing by Croatia. Manchester City forward The Germans have not “They only think about their David Silva and Chelsea’s Diego leaked a goal since their 2-0 cash and don’t do anything to Costa were on the scoresheet semi-fi nal defeat to France at earn it,” fumed the German at alongside Vitolo and Isco, while Euro 2016 last July. the time. “I can’t do anything Lior Refaelov netted Israel’s “Our goal is to secure a tick- with them.” consolation. et for the World Cup as soon as Now Azerbaijan are ranked In Palermo it was a day for possible,” said Loew. “I am ab- 89th in the world, albeit 86 Buff on to savour as he won a solutely convinced that we will places below the Germans. European record 168th cap and continue our winning run.” They managed a 1-0 upset helped Italy extend their unbeat- Last October, Loew said he win over Norway last Octo- en run in qualifi ers to 55 matches had two aims for the rest of the ber, but were thrashed 4-0 by (41 wins, 14 draws). season: “that the team remains Northern Ireland in Belfast a De Rossi converted the spot- stable and we ruthlessly go month later and warmed up for kick on 12 minutes after Migjen through the qualifying phase”. the Germany clash by beating Basha, one of six Albanians Both goals have so far been Qatar 2-1 away. According to plying his club trade in Italy, fulfi lled with Germany win- German midfi elder Toni Kroos, brought down Andrea Belotti. ning all four qualifying games Azerbaijan are “not in the same Albanian fans threw fl ares so far, scoring 16 goals and category as Liechtenstein or onto the pitch in disgust and conceding none. San Marino, they’re better, but when they did so again just be- Having fi elded an experi- we have to win there.” fore the hour mark, the game mental side against England, Prosinecki says the hosts was suspended for fi ve minutes. Loew will have fi rst-choice believe in themselves and he Immobile made the game safe starters Sami Khedira, Julian has the realistic aim of quali- 10 minutes from time by heading Draxler and Mario Gomez fying for Russia 2018, which home a Davide Zappacosta cross. available after minor knocks. would be Azerbaijan’s fi rst ap- “At the start, there was too There is a question mark pearance at a fi nals. He wants much tension, we tried to do too over Mesut Ozil, who pulled his side to “not only defend, much and missed some fl uid- out of Friday’s training session but play football,” against Ger- ity,” said Italy coach Giampiero with a back injury, but fl ew to many and says they can “sur- Ventura. “But we were never in Baku, unlike Julian Weigl, who prise any opponent”. danger.” Spain had their game wrapped up by half-time in Gijon as Silva drove home a pass from Jordi Alba before Vitolo’s shot in fi rst half injury time squirmed under Israel goalkeeper Ofi r Marciano. Diego Costa headed home a Thiago Alcantara corner on 51 minutes. Refaelov gave the visitors Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Buff on greets fans at the end of the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification match against Albania at Renzo Barbera something to cheer with a left- stadium in Palermo on Friday. Italy won 2-0. (AFP) foot eff ort on 76 minutes, just moments after Rami Gershon had edonia got their fi rst points of “It’s been confi rmed by our penalty spot on the stroke of tory goes on. struck the post with a header. But the qualifying campaign with a doctor that he’s broken his half-time. Aleksandar Mitrovic Bjorn Sigurdarson gave the Iago Aspas teed up Isco to put the 3-0 win at Liechtenstein, who leg,” said Ireland boss Martin gave Serbia the lead before Mijat visitors a 25th minute lead be- gloss on a comfortable win two remain pointless. O’Neill. Gacinovic sealed the victory late fore Gylfi Sigurdsson doubled minutes from time. “It’s a big, big loss.” on. the advantage from the spot 10 Defeat saw Israel slip four Horrific injury It was a costly game for Wales Serbia now lead the Republic minutes later after Benjamin points behind the two Group G Captain Seamus Coleman suf- who saw their captain Gareth on goal diff erence with Wales Kololli had brought down Birkir heavyweights with fi ve games fered a broken leg as the Republic Bale booked for a high boot on and Austria, 2-0 winners over Saevarsson. left to play and only the pool of Ireland and Wales drew 0-0 in John O’Shea meaning he, like Moldova, four points behind. But seven minutes into the winners guaranteed a place at Dublin in Group D. Taylor, will miss the next quali- Croatia went three points second period Atdhe Nuhiu Russia 2018. Neil Taylor was shown a fi er away to Serbia in June. clear at the top of Group I with headed home a Herolind Shala “I am very happy with my straight red card for the scything Serbia moved top of the group a 1-0 victory over Ukraine cour- corner to give Kosovo a lifeline goal, but the victory is the most challenge that left Irish defender after coming from behind to win tesy of Nikola Kalinic’s goal sev- — although it wasn’t enough. important thing,” said Silva. “We Coleman clutching his shattered 3-1 in Georgia. en minutes from half-time. A brace from Cenk Tosun kept needed to win to stay ahead of lower leg and screaming in pain Nika Kacharava gave the Iceland moved up to second Turkey’s qualifying hopes alive Germany’s coach Joachim Loew takes part in a press confer- the rest.” as Shane Long tried to comfort hosts a fi fth minute lead but with a 2-1 win at Kosovo, whose as they beat Finland 2-0 to stay ence in Baku on the eve of the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification In the other group game, Mac- him. Dusan Tadic equalised from the wait for a fi rst competitive vic- fourth, fi ve points off Croatia. match against Azerbaijan. (AFP)

FOCUS England’s Dier wary of Lithuania threat

AFP try to do what we didn’t.” Terror tributes world, then you should get used London He added: “We have to be Lithuania made a steady start to the pressure and you have to confi dent going into it, try to to qualifying, drawing with cope with the pressure. play quick, attacking football Slovenia and Scotland before “It is your job week in, week ngland’s Euro 2016 humil- and hopefully they won’t be able beating Malta 2-0, but were then out. In the Euros we saw that on iation by Iceland means to handle that.” given a rude awakening by a 4-0 the day England were not ready. they will never again un- Having tested a 3-4-2-1 sys- defeat in Slovakia. I have total faith in my players.” derestimate teams like tem in Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Edgaras Jankauskas’s side, Following Wednesday’s terror today’sE opponents Lithuania, ac- Germany, Southgate may decide who are without an away win in attack in London, which left four cording to Tottenham Hotspur to revert to the back four he used six competitive games, sit fourth people dead and over 50 injured, midfi elder Eric Dier. in the three qualifi ers he oversaw in the group, fi ve points below British police have pledged to Dier was a member of the team at the end of last year. England and three points off the boost security for today’s game. stunned 2-1 by Iceland in Nice With Chelsea’s Gary Ca- play-off place. “In collaboration with the local last year as England crashed to hill suspended and Manchester authorities and Met Police there their most embarrassing de- United pair Chris Smalling and Manchester City defender will be an enhanced security op- feat since a 1-0 loss to the part- Phil Jones having withdrawn due started on the bench in eration for England v Lithuania timers of the United States at the to injury, John Stones will expect Dortmund, where Burnley’s on Sunday, to ensure a safe and 1950 World Cup. to regain his place at centre-back. Michael Keane made an secure environment,” said a Foot- Gareth Southgate’s men will The Manchester City defend- accomplished debut ball Association spokesperson. start as strong favourites at er started on the bench in Dort- “Supporters are encouraged Wembley, as they look to defend mund, where Burnley’s Michael The Lithuania manager, to arrive as early as possible to their place at the Group F sum- Keane made an accomplished whose side were beaten 3-0 by avoid any delays in entering the mit, but Dier says thoughts of debut. the Czech Republic in a friendly stadium.” Iceland will not be far away. Uncapped Middlesbrough on Wednesday, says his team will There will be armed patrols “Whenever you’re in an Eng- defender Ben Gibson has been draw encouragement from Eng- around the stadium, while Eng- land squad, you’re going to think drafted into the squad to provide land’s defeat by Iceland. land’s players will wear black about it. It’s a painful reminder cover at centre-back. “World-class players should armbands and there will be a and it’s a good lesson for the Manchester United’s Mar- not be aff ected by pressure,” minute’s silence prior to kick-off . future,” he told reporters on cus Rashford is also pushing for Jankauskas told The Times The match programmes will Friday. a starting berth, while Jermain newspaper. also contain a tribute to former “We can look back on that Defoe will hope to feature after “When you are privileged to England manager Graham Tay- game and what we didn’t do and returning to the squad following play every week in great stadi- lor, who died in January at the England’s midfielder Eric Dier(second left), England’s defender Kyle Walker (second right) and England’s in games like the one on Sunday an absence of nearly four years. ums and the best league in the age of 72. midfielder Jake Livermore (right) take part in a training session in Enfield, north London, yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Sunday, March 26, 2017 FOOTBALL

FRIENDLY TRIBUTE PUNISHMENT CRISIS PROBLEM ‘BlatterEngland-based taught Platini pair give to VanBarca Gaal to name casts doubtone of onits BolivianShenhua playerplayer strikebanned EvertonFormer Dutch to off er star Galloway Kluivert Arsenal’sNigeria-Burkina Wilshere friendly out for steal’,Ivory Coast says Maradona win in Russia United’sstadiums CL after hopes Cruyff threatensfor Witsel stomp WC qualifiers newin betting contract: probe Martinez threeoff over months visa hitch after surgery

England-based pair Jonathan Kodjia of Aston La Liga champions Barcelona will pay tribute to A Chinese player with Shenhua Shanghai has Former Dutch star Patrick Kluivert, currently Nigeria’s friendly against Burkina Faso in Villa and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha fired visionary midfielder and coach Johan Cruyff by been handed a six month ban by the Chinese director of football at French club Paris Saint- London next week has been cancelled because Ivory Coast to a 2-0 win over Russia in a friendly naming one of their new stadiums after the late Football Association for stomping on Belgian German (PSG), owed up to one million euros to of visa issues aff ecting travelling players, the at Krasnodar on Friday. It was Russia’s third de- Dutchman and his statue will also be erected international Axel Witsel, an action which has a criminal gang after racking up debts betting Nigeria football Federation (NFF) said yesterday. feat in six matches since Stanislav Cherchesov at the Nou Camp. The club are planning to relo- already earned him a hefty fine. During a bad- on football, a Dutch newspaper said. The NFF said seven Burkinabe players failed took over as manager in August — the other two cate their Mini Estadi, the home of their B team tempered encounter on March 11, Qin Sheng De Volkskrant said the gang applied threats to to secure British entry visas, forcing Monday’s coming against Costa Rica and Qatar last year. and occasional venue for their women’s team, received a straight red card for stomping on pressure Kluivert in order to recoup the debt match at Barnet in north London to be shelved. Ivory Coast’s caretaker coach Ibrahim Kamara to their training ground and president Josep the left foot of Tianjin Quanjian’s Witsel as they which he had repaid in part. The Super Eagles were using the match as part admitted his side had ridden their luck. “It was Bartomeu said the new ground will be named waited for a corner to be taken. The newspaper said investigators had no proof of preparations for their remaining qualifiers for a tough match, like we expected,” he told the the Estadi Johan Cruyff . “Cruyff broke down Qin has already been suspended for three the former player was involved in illegal the World Cup 2018 and Africa Cup of Nations press. “We had to endure tough pressure. Our barriers, he was the man who made us lift our matches in the Chinese Super League and his match-fixing and his lawyer was quoted as 2019. NFF off icial Chris Green said the cancella- team are young and a defeat would not have heads up and see that nothing is impossible,” club has slapped him with a $43,000 fine, a saying his client was “only a victim in this tion was “no fault of either the organisers or the been a disaster for us — but I’m happy we won Bartomeu said at a presentation on Saturday, a huge sum for many Chinese footballers who aff air.” Nigeria football Federation”. “We will announce tonight. “Russia’s players looked really strong. day after Cruyff ’s first death anniversary. do not command the inflated salaries of their Prosecutors arrested five suspects in February further plans for the Super Eagles’ preparation Today it was just rough luck on the home team.” “His death was a huge loss, not just for eve- foreign teammates. But in a statement released in connection with the aff air and during their for these two important qualifying campaigns French-born forward Kodjia put the visitors 1-0 ryone connected with Barcelona but also for Friday the football association said it had de- probe uncovered documents linking the gang in due course,” he added. Burkina Faso off icials up just before the half-hour mark after latching anyone who loves football.” Cruyff , who died of cided to increase the punishment by banning to Kluivert, who was called in for questioning, were told of the visa issues. On Thursday, Ni- onto a pass from inside the Ivory Coast half and lung cancer aged 68, signed for Barca from Ajax Qin from all CSL matches for six month, until but “purely as a witness,” his lawyer Gerard geria drew 1-1 with Senegal in the first of its two driving into the Russian box before firing home. in 1973 and helped them to a first league title. September 11. Sprong insisted. scheduled friendly matches in London.

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER SPOTLIGHT Iran coach Queiroz praises Lippi ahead Dempsey hat-trick, of Tehran showdown

Reuters of their counter-attacking.” Tehran After leaving Italy in 2010, Lippi had a successful two- and-half-year spell in charge ran coach Carlos Queiroz of Chinese powerhouse Pulisic shines as US has heaped praise on China Guangzhou Evergrande before counterpart Marcello Lippi he was coaxed out of retire- ahead of their vital World ment last year and Queiroz ICup qualifi er next week, the is delighted to see the Italian Portuguese saying the man who back in the dugout. led Italy to the global title in “It is good for Asian football 2006 is good for Asian soccer. that Lippi is here,” the former Lippi took over as China Real Madrid coach added. thrash Honduras coach to revive their fl agging “The way world football fortunes last October and af- and the schedule of interna- ter drawing his fi rst game in tional games is organised, it ‘We took the game to our opponents and when we got chances we put them in back of the net’ charge, the 68-year-old Italian is diffi cult for Asian teams to led his side to a 1-0 home win compete with the traditional over South Korea on Thurs- strong nations in Europe and AFP day to keep the side’s hopes South America but it helps to alive. have some of the best coaches The win lifted China on to working here. fi ve points, still four adrift of “They can help raise the lev- lint Dempsey made a the third-place playoff spot el and make Asia more com- fairytale return to in- with four games remaining, petitive.” ternational duty with a and table-topping Iran will Queiroz, who has been in hat-trick as the United not be taking them lightly in charge of Iran for six years StatesC reignited their 2018 World Tehran on Tuesday despite and led Team Melli to the 2014 Cup qualifying campaign with a an unbeaten start to the fi nal World Cup, believes Iran will 6-0 thrashing of Honduras on group campaign. continue to improve and re- Friday. “Lippi has been everywhere mains proud of his achieve- Dempsey, playing his fi rst in football and he will make ments so far. international since recovering China a stronger and more in- “Since I have been here we from a heart problem that forced telligent team,” Queiroz, whose have more players in Europe a six-month layoff , scored goals side have yet to concede a goal than ever before,” Queiroz said. in each half as the Americans in six matches and top the “We have also been the number romped to a crucial victory at standings on 14 points, told the one Asian team for four years San Jose’s Avaya Stadium. South China Morning Post. in the FIFA rankings.” “It was all about the team,” “We know that China will The top two sides in Asian Dempsey said afterwards. “We be well-organised and will be Group A will advance to the came out and played well. We compact in defence. We have fi nals in Russia next year while started on the front foot and to be patient to try and break the third-place fi nishers qual- took the game to our opponents them down but also be careful ify for a series of playoff s. and when we got chances we put them in the back of the net.” The US had suff ered back- to-back defeats in their opening two games of CONCACAF’s fi nal qualifying round in November, losses that led to the sacking of Jurgen Klinsmann and the re- appointment of veteran coach . Arena had warned his play- ers that nothing less than three points would do against the Hondurans and the Americans did not disappoint, producing a dominant display against the United States forward Clint Dempsey (No 8) scores a goal as Honduras defender Henry Figueroa (4) looks on during their World Cup qualifier Central Americans. in San Jose. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Though Dempsey grabbed the headlines with his hat-trick, for the hosts. The US eff ectively skipped clear of the Honduras minutes later and it was 5-0, good spot,” US captain Bradley Borussia Dortmund teenager sealed victory with a devastat- defence before aiming an angled with Pulisic threading a sublime said. “We’ll take it for what it is Christian Pulisic was the heart- ing fi rst half-hour which saw the shot into the bottom corner for pass through to Dempsey who — three points.” beat of a scintillating US perform- home side race into a 3-0 lead. his 16th international goal on his calmly claimed his second goal. In Friday’s other match, Mexi- ance, scoring one goal and creat- Lletget opened the scoring 129th appearance. Dempsey completed his hat- co moved to the top of the quali- ing three others during the rout. after only fi ve minutes, tucking Five minutes later and it was trick on 54 minutes, making it fi cation standings with a 2-0 de- “What he can do is beat a man away the rebound after Hon- 3-0, with Pulisic once again the 6-0 with a wonderful curling feat of Costa Rica. one-on-one and that creates duras goalkeeper Donis Escober provider after lofting an exquisite free-kick from the right-hand Javier Hernandez and Nestor a diff erence for us and gives us was unable to grasp Pulisic’s low pass into the path of Dempsey edge of the area. Araujo scored the goals for Mex- options,” Dempsey said of the shot. Lletget’s maiden World who held off his marker to shoot The win helped the US climb ico, who lead with seven points 18-year-old Pulisic. Cup goal was soured by his exit high into the roof of the net. off the bottom of the group into from three games. “I thought he was great for barely 10 minutes later when fourth place in the six-team The top three fi nishers in the us.” he limped off injured following US climb standings with three points. The six-team “Hexagonal” qualify- Los Angeles Galaxy forward a rugged tackle from Ever Al- It got better for the hosts US face a trip to Panama, beaten ing competition qualify auto- Sebastian Lletget and captain varado that earned the Honduras barely 15 seconds into the sec- 1-0 by Trinidad and Tobago ear- matically for next year’s fi nals in Michael Bradley scored the other defender a caution. ond half, when Pulisic added the lier Friday, in their next game. Russia. The fourth placed team American goals on a night when In the 27th minute the USA fourth after being played into “It’s a good start towards faces a playoff against a side almost everything went right doubled their lead when Bradley space by Jozy Altidore. Three working our way back into a from Asia.

FOCUS Soul-searching in Russia as WCup hosts hit new low Iran’s head coach Carlos Queiroz celebrates his team’s victory AFP Rica and Qatar last year. yesterday. devotion”. Russian rules against Qatar in their World Cup Qualifier on Thursday. (Reuters) Moscow And it raised questions about “I’m disappointed,” Russian “Football is a game of coura- limit the number of foreign play- the ability of Russia, ranked coach Valery Nepomnyash- geous people, while our players ers on the pitch at one time, and 60th by FIFA, to compete among chy, who guided Cameroon into showed obvious lack of courage,” some experts believe this stifl es tanislav Cherchesov’s the elite with the Confederations the 1990 World Cup last-eight said Orlov. “I’d say everything is competition in the league. Qatar’s Olympic team to play ability to coach Russia to Cup just three months away and round, told Sport Express daily. wrong in Russia’s current Football “Because of the foreign- the 2018 World Cup was the World Cup – for which they “The team showed obvious system. The players should fi ght player limit, (Russian) players friendly with Canada under the spotlight yes- qualify automatically as hosts lack of creative moves and sharp hard for a place in the line-up, don’t face competition for a spot Qatari Olympic football team is gearing for a friendly match terdayS after the hosts hit a new – next year. The 53-year-old passing. There was no balance while they all look self satisfi ed.” in their club’s line-up,” Sport with Canada on Tuesday in Doha, as part of Qatar’s prepara- low with a fi rst defeat to an Af- former Soviet goalkeeper took between the attack and defence.” Italian Football agent Marco Express columnist Igor Rab- tions for the AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers which will be rican team. over after Russia’s disastrous Nepomnyashchy added: “But Trabucchi blamed the domes- iner told AFP, adding that the held in Doha next July. Cherchesov and his dispirited Euro 2016 campaign. we shouldn’t give way to despair. tic league’s limit on the foreign national squad was not accus- The Qatari team lost 1-3 to Uzbek team in a friendly match at squad were whistled off the pitch But with the clock ticking This defeat may be very useful Footballers for generating the tomed to pushing its limits. the Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium last Thursday. Since late 2016, by furious fans in eastern Kras- he faces a daunting task with for the team. “And don’t forget weakest crop in the country’s Cherchesov has work to do the Qatari Olympic squad have entered several preparatory nodar after England-based pair the defeat in front of a capacity that Russia have played without history. “Don’t scold the Rus- with Belgium – ranked fi fth in camps and played a number of friendly matches with the Jonathan Kodjia and Wilfried 34,000 crowd on Friday night a number of fi rst-line players.” sian team, it’s their true current the world by FIFA – next up in a Oman, China, Thailand and Hong Kong. Zaha fi red Ivory Coast to a 2-0 exposing serious problems in the level,” Trabucchi wrote on his warm-up match on Tuesday. The Qatari team is gearing up for the AFC U-23 Champion- friendly win. It was Cherches- team coupled with a dearth of ‘Everything is wrong’ Twitter page.“It’s the weakest Two more friendlies against ship qualifiers, which will see the participation of India, Syria ov’s third defeat in six matches young emerging talent. But former Soviet Footballer generation in the country’s his- Hungary and Chile are sched- and Turkmenistan. The AFC U-23 Championship finals will be since taking over in August – the The coach and squad were Gennady Orlov, now a television tory. We should thank the limit uled before the Confederations played in China in January 2018. other two coming against Costa lambasted in the Russian press pundit, saw a “team that lacked – super idea!” Cup kicks off on June 17. Gulf Times Sunday, March 26, 2017 5 SPORT

NBA NFL Sanchez signs Booker’s 70 can’t save one-year deal Suns, Cavaliers win with Bears Reuters price on the open market, and Chicago teams are not willing to meet the Boston Celtics withstood Booker’s eff ort for a narrow 130-120 victory demand. Peterson remains unsigned he Chicago Bears signed during free agency and ESPN’s quarterback Mark Jeremy Fowler reported that it is Sanchez to a one-year because the asking price is too Tcontract on Friday. high. A source from a team in Sanchez is expected to back up the market for a running back starter Mike Glennon for the said that Peterson wanted more Bears, who are coming off a 3-13 than $8mn in the fi rst year of a season and fi nished last in the contract. Eddie Lacy was one of NFC North. the fi rst running backs signed in The 30-year-old Sanchez, free agency, accepting a one-year the New York Jets’ 2009 fi rst- deal with the Seattle Seahawks round pick (fi fth overall) out of worth up to $5.5mn that includes USC, visited with the Bears on a weight clause. Thursday and now joins his fi fth NFL team. Glennon, who was COLTS RELEASE ARTHUR the backup for the Tampa Bay The Indianapolis Colts released Buccaneers and hasn’t started defensive tackle Arthur Jones to a game in over two years, was clear salary-cap space. Jones, 30, signed by the Bears earlier this was set to count $7.35mn against month to a three-year deal worth the cap in 2017 after the Colts $43.5mn after the team cut quar- signed him to a fi ve-year, $33mn terback Jay Cutler. deal as an unrestricted free agent Sanchez is the third quarter- on March 13, 2014. back on the Bears roster, joining Indianapolis saves about $5.15 Glennon and Connor Shaw, who in cap space by releasing Jones, missed the entire 2016 regular according to ESPN. season after suff ering a broken Jones received a four-game leg suff ered in the team’s fourth suspension during the off season preseason game. last year for using performance- enhancing drugs. PANTHERS SIGN STEWART The Carolina Panthers signed REDSKINS SIGN QUICK running back Jonathan Stewart The Washington Redskins signed to a one-year contract extension unrestricted free agent wide re- through the 2018 season. Stew- ceiver Brian Quick to add depth art, who turned 30 on Tuesday, at the position. The Redskins lost was set to count $8.5mn against starting wide receivers DeSean the salary cap in 2017, but the Jackson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) Devin Booker (left) scored an NBA season-high 70 points, the most points scored in a game against the Boston Celtics, but it wasn't enough for Phoenix Suns on Friday night. new deal reportedly will spread and Pierre Garcon (San Francisco the money out to save cap space. 49ers) via free agency. Quick is AFP was poked in the eye in the third quarter. was 39, went 21 of 40 from the fl oor, 4 of ers surge in the fi nal period. the second free agent receiver Los Angeles The Cavs said he could miss Saturday’s 11 from 3-point range, canned 24 of his 26 In Houston, James Harden scored 38 PETERSON ASKS MORE to sign with the Redskins this clash with the Wizards in Washington. free throws and also had eight rebounds points and tied his career record with 17 Former Minnesota Vikings run- month, joining Terrelle Pryor. The Wizards tuned up for that marquee and six assists. His previous career high assists as the Rockets rallied for a 117-107 ning back Adrian Peterson is re- Terms of Quick’s deal were not hoenix guard Devin Booker’s matchup with a 129-108 victory over the was 39 points. Cleveland’s victory in win over the New Orleans Pelicans. It was portedly asking for a premium disclosed. scintillating 70-point perform- lowly Brooklyn Nets. Charlotte followed a disappointing 126- Harden’s fourth consecutive 30-point, ance put his name among some That win, along with losses by the 113 defeat at Denver on Wednesday, which 10-assist game, the longest such streak Pof the NBA’s greats on Friday, Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls, saw had James calling out his teammates. He in the NBA since Michael Jordan’s fi ve- but it couldn’t lift his Suns to a win over Washington clinch a playoff berth for the was pleased with the intensity and defen- game roll from April 4-12 in 1989. Mark Sanchez the Boston Celtics. Booker became just third time in four seasons. sive eff ort they displayed in holding the The Golden State Warriors stretched the sixth player in NBA history to score The playoff races were heating up with Hornets to 42.2% shooting. their winning streak to six games with 70 or more points in a game and at 20 the less than three weeks remaining in the “I liked our disposition tonight,” James a 114-100 home victory over the Sacra- youngest ever to do so. regular season, but the buzz Friday sur- said. “We came in with a physical mind- mento Kings. Draymond Green drained But the Celtics withstood the eff ort rounded Booker and a Suns team well out set and basically that helped us win the three three-pointers in a third quarter for a 130-120 victory that kept them one of post-season contention. “It’s a zone. game because it was physical from the dominated by the Warriors, fi nishing game behind the NBA Champion Cleve- It’s kind of hard to explain,” Booker said start right down to the fi nish.” with 23 points total. land Cavaliers in the race for the Eastern after joining Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe The Nuggets followed up their victory Stephen Curry had a double-double of Conference lead. The Cavaliers defeated Bryant, David Thompson, Elgin Baylor over the Cavaliers with a 125-117 triumph 27 points and 12 assists for the Warriors, the Hornets 112-105 in a bruising encoun- and David Robinson as the only 70-point over the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis. who improved to 58-14 and moved two ter in Charlotte. Superstar LeBron James scorers in league history. “I’ve been in Nikola Jokic scored 30 points and grabbed and a half games ahead of the San Anto- just missed a triple-double, scoring 32 those zones before, but never to this ex- 17 rebounds and Wilson Chandler added nio Spurs for the best record in the league points with 11 assists and nine rebounds tent. It’s hard to explain.” 24 points for the Nuggets, who made 40 and home court advantage throughout but suff ered a corneal abrasion when he Booker, whose previous career high of 43 free throws and turned back a Pac- the playoff s.

BASEBALL NHL Pittsburgh Pirates’ South Korean Avalanche and Senators to play games in Stockholm infi elder Kang ‘denied’ US visa Reuters and we are extremely pleased Karlsson was born in Landsbro. Colorado that the 2017 SAP NHL Global The Washington Capitals re- AFP Series will allow us to show- called forward Paul Carey from Miami case a number of those players, the Hershey Bears of the Amer- he Colorado Avalanche with their NHL teams, in their ican Hockey League. Carey, 28, and Ottawa Senators homeland,” NHL commissioner made his 2016-17 season debut ittsburgh Pirates third baseman Kang will play two regular- Gary Bettman said. It will be the with the Capitals on Nov. 20 Jung-Ho, the fi rst player to jump di- season games in Stock- sixth time the NHL has played a and skated in four games with rectly from South Korea into Major Tholm, Sweden, in November regular-season game in Europe, three shots on goal. League Baseball, will not be with the as part of the 2017 SAP NHL but the fi rst time since 2011. The Tampa Bay Lightning re- Pteam on opening day, the club confi rmed on Global Series. The NHL and the These will be the 21st and called defenseman Slater Koek- Friday. NHL Players’ Association an- 22nd games played in Europe, koek from the Syracuse Crunch Pirates general manager Neal Hunting- nounced on Friday that the two and the seventh and eighth of the AHL. Koekkoek, 23, has ton said Kang’s visa application was ongoing teams will face each other at the played in Sweden. four assists in 29 games with the and he would not be in the team’s starting Ericsson Globe on Nov. 10-11. Avalanche captain Gabriel Lightning this season. He owns lineup for the April 3 season opener. A Korean “We have more Swedish Landeskog was born in Stock- fi ve assists and 12 penalty min- Broadcasting System report said Kang’s visa players than ever in the NHL, holm, and Senators captain Erik utes in 41 career NHL games. application had been denied and it was un- certain when or even if Kang would be able to join the Pirates this season. “A Korean news outlet has reported on a purported development in Jung Ho Kang’s Shaquille O’Neal’s statue unveiled eff ort to secure permission to travel to the United States for purposes of continuing his career as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates and added speculation regarding a driving in- cident in a ‘third country,’” Pirates president Frank Coonelly said. “The facts, as we know them, are that Kang still has not been granted permission to travel to the United States under a work visa,” Coonelly said. “We continue to work with Kang and his representatives to present materials and information to the appropriate parties in the United States government that we believe establish that Kang should be per- Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Kang Jung-Ho visa application was mitted to travel to the United States under a ongoing and he would not be in the team’s starting lineup for the April 3 season opener. work visa.” Kang was convicted in South Korea earlier son with Pittsburgh. Last year, Kang hit 21 Ausmus was surprised by the timetable. this month after leaving the scene of a drink homers with 62 runs batted in and a.255 bat- driving accident on December 2 in Seoul. He ting average over 103 appearances. This year RODON ON DISABLED LIST? received a suspended eight-month jail sen- would be his third season under a four-deal Chicago White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon tence and recently fi led an appeal, reportedly contract worth $11mn. could open the season on the disabled list af- to be heard next month. ter he was scratched from his Friday start due It was Kang’s third drink driving arrest in MARTINEZ OUT FOR FOUR WEEKS to left biceps tightness. Rodon was scheduled South Korea, having previously being charged Detroit Tigers outfi elder J.D. Martinez is ex- for an MRI exam. in August 2009 and May 2011. Kang was third pected to miss up to four weeks due to a right “It’s too early to speculate how long we’ll in 2015 National League Rookie of the Year foot injury. be without Carlos,” general manager Rick voting after making his landmark jump across Martinez was diagnosed with a sprain of Hahn said. “Since we are slowing down his NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal was feted by an array of Los Angeles Lakers greats on the Pacifi c Ocean to the major leagues. the Lisfranc ligament during an examination. schedule by having him miss a start today, the Friday as a massive statue of him delivering a thundering dunk was unveiled at Staples Center He batted .287 with 15 home runs and 58 He will wear a cast for seven to 10 days be- odds are probably that he’ll start the season in Los Angeles. (USA TODAY Sports) runs batted in over 126 games in his fi rst sea- fore being re-evaluated. Tigers manager Brad on the DL.” Gulf Times 6 Sunday, March 26, 2017 SPORT

TENNIS Raonic makes winning return, Nadal and Nishikori advance Venus braves the weather to beat Brazilian, Vesnina stunned by world number 594 Ajla Tomljanovic

Reuters seeds Timea Babos and Roberta Vinci were Miami eliminated. American Madison Keys made quick work of 6-1 6-2.

ig-serving Canadian Milos Raonic RESULTS made a strong return to competition on (x denotes seed): Friday by beating Viktor Troicki 6-3 7-5 Men’s 2nd rd: Rafael Nadal (ESP x5) bt Dudi Sela to reach the third round of the Miami (ISR) 6-3, 6-4; Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER x26) bt Open.B Joining the Canadian in the third round Taylor Fritz (USA) 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4); Nicolas Mahut were Spanish fi fth seed Rafa Nadal and Japanese (FRA) bt Steve Johnson (USA x23) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4; second seed Kei Nishikori. Guido Pella (ARG) bt Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x9) 6-3, Nadal advanced past Israeli Dudi Sela 6-3 7-6 (7/4); Jack Sock (USA x13) bt Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, taking the critical second-set break in the (JPN) 2-4 retired; Jiri Vesely (CZE) bt Albert Ramos- seventh game, while Nishikori cut down South Vinolas (ESP x19) 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3; Jared Donaldson African Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-3. Third seed (USA) bt Mischa Zverev (GER x28) 6-4, 6-4; Milos Raonic has been sidelined by a right leg injury Raonic (CAN x3) bt Viktor Troicki (SRB) 6-3, 7-5; Jer- that forced him to concede a walkover in the emy Chardy (FRA) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x7) 6-4, 2-6, Delray Beach Open fi nal last month and to with- 6-3; Fabio Fognini (ITA) bt Joao Sousa (POR x30) 7-6 draw from the Mexican Open and BNP Paribas (10/8), 2-6, 6-3; Benoît Paire (FRA) bt Pablo Cuevas Open. “I have to be very happy with just the out- (URU x21) 7-5, 6-0; Donald Young (USA) bt Lucas come, that I was able to get the win today, that Pouille (FRA) 6-2, 6-4; Federico del Bonis (ARG) bt I have another chance to play in two days,” said Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 1-6, 7-5, 6-2; Jan-Lennard the world number fi ve. Raonic breezed through Struff (GER) bt Gilles Simon (FRA) 6-1, 6-1; Fernando the opening set and led 3-1 in the second before Verdasco (ESP x25) bt Ernesto Escobedo (USA) 7-6 Serbia’s Troicki battled back. (11/9), 7-5; Kei Nishikori (JPN x2) bt Kevin Anderson World number 38 Troicki, who has reached (RSA) 6-4, 6-3 the fourth round in Miami twice, drew level at 1st rd: Malek Jaziri (TUN) bt Alexandr Dolgopolov 5-5 before Raonic’s pressure helped him secure (UKR) 7-6 (7/4), retired; Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) bt the deciding break. Raonic advanced to play Stephane Robert (FRA) 7-6 (7/5), 6-2 American Jared Donaldson, a 6-4 6-4 winner Women 2nd rd: Angelique Kerber (GER x1) bt Duan against 28th seed Mischa Zverev of Germany. Ying-Ying (CHN) 7-6 (7/3), 6-2; Shelby Rogers (USA) Raonic said he has been helped by the addi- bt Darya Kasatkina (RUS x31) 6-4, 5-7, 6-0; Julia tion of former world number 69 Jesse Levine to Goerges (GER) bt Carla Suarez (ESP x20) 6-4, 7-6 his coaching support. “He’s somebody that I get (7/5); Risa Ozaki (JPN) bt (NED x16) along with great, is a little bit closer to my age as 6-4, 4-6, 6-1; (USA x11) bt Beatriz well, and somebody that I can play with on court Haddad Maia (BRA) 6-4, 6-3; Patricia Tig (ROM) bt and put in hard hours with,” he added. Kristina Mladenovic (FRA x22) 7-6 (7/4), 6-2; Taylor A string of upsets unfolded later in the day Townsend (USA) bt Roberta Vinci (ITA x25) 6-3, 6-2; with world number 13 Grigor Dimitrov elimi- Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x7) bt Mandy Minella nated in straight sets by Argentinean Guido Pel- (LUX) 6-2, 6-2; Simona Halep (ROM x3) bt Naomi la 6-3 7-6(4). Dimitrov, who lost to Nadal in the Osaka (JPN) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3; Anett Kontaveit (EST) bt semi-fi nal, has now lost three Ekaterina Makarova (RUS x32) 6-7 (1/7), 6-2, 6-2; of his last six matches since winning the Sofi a Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot enroute to his win over Dudi Sela of Israel during the Miami Open in Key Biscayne, Florida. (AFP) Peng Shuai (CHN) bt Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) Open last month. 6-4, 6-0; Samantha Stosur (AUS x14) bt Ashleigh American Donald Young knocked out 11th round in Miami. After rain delays pushed her impressed with her game and determination, committed a dozen double faults in the two Barty (AUS) 6-4, 6-4; Johanna Konta (GBR x10) bt seed Lucas Pouille 6-2 6-4, Federico Delbonis match well into the night, three-time champion and that will take her very far.” hour, 12 minute match. cham- Aliaksandra Sasnovich (BLR) 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4; took down 15th seed Pablo Carreno 1-6 7-5 6-2, Williams moved past her 20-year-old challeng- Top seed Angelique Kerber also prevailed pion Garbine Muguruza, whose opening match Pauline Parmentier (FRA) bt Timea Babos (HUN while Frenchman Gilles Simon fell to German er 6-4 6-3. in her evening match, beating Duan Yingying on Thursday was also interrupted, fared better x24) 6-7 (1/7), 6-2, 6-0; Lara Arruabarrena (ESP) bt Jan-Lennard Struff 6-1 6-1. In earlier action, The biggest upset of the day came when Elena Duan 7-6(3) 6-2. than Vesnina. The sixth-seeded Spaniard trailed Irina Camelia Begu (ROM x28) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3; Madison Frenchman Jeremy Chardy defeated seventh- Vesnina, fresh off her victory at Indian Wells, Croatian wild card Tomljanovic led 13th seed 46th-ranked American Christina McHale 6-0 Keys (USA x8) bt Viktorija Golubic (SUI) 6-1, 6-2; seeded former US Open champion Marin Cilic suff ered a stunning 3-6 6-4 7-5 loss to world Vesnina 5-3 in the third set on Thursday when a 3-2 when play was suspended on Thursday but Garbine Muguruza (ESP x6) bt Christina McHale of Croatia for the fi rst time since 2009 to move number 594 Ajla Tomljanovic. Williams told thunderstorm halted play and returned on Fri- staved off a match point in the tiebreak before (USA) 0-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4; Sorana Cirstea (ROM) bt into the third round with a 6-4 2-6 6-3 win. the Miami Herald she struggled with the windy day to fi nish the job, sealing the victory on her emerging with an 0-6 7-6(6) 6-4 victory. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT x19) 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-3; In the women’s, Venus Williams overcame conditions. “It wasn’t easy out there, the wind third match point to move into the third round. Romanian third seed Simona Halep was Ajla Tomljanovic (CRO) bt Elena Vesnina (RUS x13) windy weather and an unfamiliar opponent in felt like a gale force,” she said. “I never saw her Vesnina, fi ve days removed from the biggest pushed to three sets by Japanese teenager Nao- 3-6, 6-4, 7-5; Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE x15) Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia to reach the third before. I didn’t know what to expect. I’m very victory of her career at the BNP Paribas Open, mi Osaka before advancing 6-4 2-6 6-3, while bt Johanna Larsson (SWE) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3)

ROUND-UP GOLF Ko misses cut as Kerr seizes Johnson vs Johnson in knockout solo lead at Kia Classic AFP at the end, but I played really well,” added Kerr, an clash at Match Play in Texas Los Angeles 18-time winner on tour who won this event in 2015 for her fi rst of two victories that season. Reuters Kerr made two bogeys in her last four holes as her Texas orld number one Lydia Ko missed the lead dwindled to one. Her three-under 69 put her at cut for only the second time in her ca- nine-under 135, one stroke in front of Martin, who reer as veteran Cristie Kerr opened a carded a 70, and South Korea’s Lee Mi-Rim, who t will be Johnson vs Johnson as world one-shot lead at the Kia Classic on Fri- shot her second straight 68 for 136. It was a further number one Dustin takes on double Wday. New Zealand’s Ko, 19, fi red a level-par 72 at the two strokes back to South Korea’s Hur Mi-Jung, major champion Zach in a round-of-16 Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, , but it was France’s Karine Icher and Americans Austin Ernst Iclash at the WGC-Dell Match Play in not enough to advance her to the weekend following and Jackie Stoelting on 138. Texas. And fi ve-times major champion Phil her two-over-par opening round 74 on Thursday. Mickelson will meet in-form Australian With the cut coming at one-over, Ko missed out DECHAMBEAU, POINTS SHARE LEAD AT Marc Leishman as the World Golf Cham- on a place in the third round by just one stroke — ul- WEATHER-HIT PUERTO RICO OPEN pionships event enters the knockout phase timately paying the price for two bogeys in her fi nal Bryson DeChambeau fi red seven birdies in a seven- after completing the round-robin phase at three holes on Friday, including a three-putt on the under-par 65 on Friday to seize a share of the lead Austin Country Club. 18th. “I was in an okay position after halfway then along with D.A. Points in the weather-disrupted Big-hitting Dustin Johnson emerged with I had a really bad fi nish, missed two short putts at second round of the Puerto Rico Open. a perfect 3-0-0 record, wrapping up the 16, 17 and obviously 3-putting the last,” Ko said. “I The second round, which started Friday after group phase with a 5&3 shellacking of fellow can’t do anything about it. I tried my best out there completion of Thursday’s weather-hit fi rst, en- American Jimmy Walker on Friday. He said to hopefully put myself in better position going for- dured its own weather delay before darkness halted he fancied his chances of beating namesake ward, but I can’t do anything about it.” play with 45 players still on the course. and compatriot Zach, not because of the Ko said she planned to use the extra time to head DeChambeau was untroubled by the disruptions, world rankings but because of his form. to Palm Springs to get in some extra practice ahead his seven birdies including a run of four in a row “No matter what ranking I am, I feel I of the ANA Inspiration, the fi rst major of the sea- from the fi fth through the eighth at the Coco Beach should win,” he told reporters. “I feel like son. Kerr held a share of the fi rst round lead with Golf and Country Club. I’ve got a bit of an advantage, just because Mo Martin and South Korea’s Chun In-Gee, but she He birdied the par-fi ve 18th, as did Points in cap- I’m playing so well. Today I made a bunch pulled away from the pack. ping a 69 that tied him for the lead on 11-under 133. of birdies, no bogeys and usually in match She started on the back nine and led by as many Points is chasing his third US PGA Tour title after play you do that, you win. Just because I’m as three strokes before faltering coming in. “I think the 2011 Pebble Beach Pro-Am and 2013 Houston number one I don’t get a pass. I’ve still got to it’s a course that demands a lot of you,” Kerr said. Open. DeChambeau is seeking a fi rst, with his best play really well.” “When you hit a bad shot you have to be able to re- fi nish coming in his pro debut — a tie for fourth at Zach Johnson, meanwhile, said he would cover and really stay focused the whole day. It was a the 2016 RBC Heritage. On the course Bill Lund was relish the challenge of taking on the game’s very long day. I feel like my focus left me a little bit at 11-under with three holes to play. hottest player. “I think his time is about done. Physically, he is not looking great,” he said, tongue planted fi rmly in cheek, before turning more serious. Hopefully I’ve got my A game. I need it. I expect nothing less out of Dustin. He does things with the golf ball Dustin Johnson of the United States plays a shot during the third round of the World Match only a small percentage can do out here.” Play golf tournament at Austin Country Club in Texas. (USA TODAY Sports) Mickelson fi nished group play in style at 3-0-0 with a 6&5 thumping of fellow Among other round-of-16 match-ups had caused it to move fractionally. Howell American JB Holmes. Leishman was given will be Spaniard Jon Rahm versus American fi nally emerged victorious four holes later. a scare before winning his group in a three- Charles Howell III, Englishman Paul Casey The round-of-16 on Saturday morning will way playoff with Englishman Lee Westwood against Japan’s Hideto Tanihara and Ameri- be followed immediately afterwards by the and American Pat Perez after they all fi n- can Bubba Watson against Englishman Ross quarter-fi nals. ished with the same 2-1-0 record in their Fisher. Rahm won his group by beating group. countryman Sergio Garcia 6&4. PAIRINGS ROUND-OF-16 “(I’m) having a good week or so,” Austral- “I’d rather not play a fellow Spaniard but KNOCKOUT MATCHES ian Leishman, who won the Arnold Palmer luckily whoever won today was going to Kevin Na (USA) v Bill Haas (USA) Invitational last Sunday, said. Asked for his make it through,” Rahm said. Howell topped Marc Leishman (AUS) v Phil Mickelson (USA) Veteran Cristie Kerr opened thoughts about facing Mickelson, known his group after an eventful three-way play- Jon Rahm (ESP) v Charles Howell (USA) a one-shot lead at the Kia for his light-hearted trash talking, the laid- off with Englishman Tyrrell Hatton and Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) v William McGirt (USA) Classic on Friday. (AFP) back Leishman sounded unfazed. “I’ll have Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello. Hideto Tanihara (JPN) v Paul Casey (ENG) to work on my trash talking I guess,” Leish- Hatton was eliminated at the fi rst extra Ross Fisher (ENG) v Bubba Watson (USA) man said.”I’ve got to keep hitting it the way I hole after incurring a two-stroke penalty for Alex Noren (SWE) v Brooks Koepka (USA) have been and make some putts.” putting without replacing his ball after he Dustin Johnson (USA) v Zach Johnson (USA) Gulf Times Sunday, March 26, 2017 7 CRICKET

SPOTLIGHT ODI Ton-up Tamim sets up crushing Kuldeep used Bangladesh win Warne advice to torment Australia

Reuters His craft was in full display as he outfoxed Maxwell with Dharamsala a after being hit for a four two balls previously teve Smith and his men have compatriot Shane Warne to blame for the trou- ble they endured against India’s tricky left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav onS the opening day of the fourth and fi nal Test yesterday. Bangladesh batsman Tamim Iqbal plays a shot on way to his A left-fi eld selection for the most impor- century against Sri Lanka at The Rangiri Dambulla International tant match of the series currently level at 1-1, Cricket Stadium in Dambulla yesterday. Kuldeep made a memorable test debut claim- ing 4-68 as Australia could not capitalise on AFP not easy, lot of sweat goes down,” a strong start and were all out for 300 in their Dambulla, Sri Lanka man-of-the-match Tamim said fi rst innings. after the game. Smith and David Warner were past their “We just kept our cool and individual fi fties and the century-plus part- pener Tamim Iqbal kept rotating the strike. The way nership was looking ominous for India when struck a brilliant cen- Shakib played was exceptional. Kuldeep employed the trick he had learnt from tury to set up a crush- I knew if I scored 135 or so, we Warne to lead India’s second session fi ghtback. ing 90-run win for could get to 300. That is what I The 22-year-old sent down a which BangladeshO in the fi rst one-day tried to do,” he said. pitched around the off -stump, kicked off and international against Sri Lanka Tamim, who also reached a kissed the shoulder of Warner’s bat before in Dambulla yesterday. personal milestone by becoming reaching Ajinkya Rahane in the slip. Tamim made 127 off 142 balls the fi rst Bangladeshi to complete while Shakib Al Hasan and Sab- 10,000 international runs, led Kuldeep was told about his bir Rahman added two more fi f- the charge throughout much-awaited Test debut early in the ties, as Bangladesh posted an the innings until he fell to Lahiru morning and the spinner showed no imposing 324-5, their highest Kumara in the 48th over. nerves — though looked emotional aft er ever score against Sri Lanka, sur- Sent into bat fi rst by Sri Lanka getting his fi rst test — in a brilliant passing 265-9 in 2006. captain Upul Tharanga, Bangla- display of wrist-spin Sri Lanka were never up to the desh lost opener Soumya Sarkar task, being derailed very early on early when he edged Lakmal to “My fi rst wicket was not a Chinaman delivery after skipper Mashrafe Mortaza wicketkeeper Chandimal for 10. but a fl ipper which I learnt from him (Warne),” a struck in the fi rst over and then But Tamim and Sabbir, who beaming Kuldeep told reporters at the Himach- ODI debutant Mehedi Hasan left made 54 off 56 balls, added 90 al Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. them struggling at 15-2 inside six runs for the second wicket to “It’s obviously good to learn from them and overs. bring the innings back on track use against them,” quipped the Uttar Pradesh They were fi nally dismissed on what looked like a fl at bat- spinner who met Australian spin great Warne for 234 runs in 45.1 overs to suf- ting pitch.Sri Lanka captain Upul in Pune last month. fer their fi fth loss against Bang- Tharanga blamed their poor “Warne is my idol. I still watch his videos. It ladesh in 39 meetings. The hosts bowling for the defeat. was a dream to meet him and discuss my bowl- are now trail 0-1 in a three- “I think we controlled the ing. I followed his advice. We’d meet soon for match series. middle period very well. But we another session.” Dinesh Chandmial made bowled very badly and on the With regular skipper Virat Kohli missing the highest 59 for the inexperienced fi eld also we gave around 25-30 match with a shoulder injury, the Rahane-led home side with left arm pace runs extra,” he said. team took a bold decision to go with fi ve bowl- bowler Mustafi zur Rahman fi n- Tharanga took a brilliant refl ex ers. ishing with 3-56 runs for Bang- catch at short cover to end Sab- Kuldeep was told about his much-awaited ladesh. bir’s aggressive innings which Test debut early in the morning and the spinner Thisara Perera made a quick- contained 10 fours, including showed no nerves — though looked emotional fi re 55 off 31 balls coming to bat at three in one over off Perera. after getting his fi rst test wicket — in a brilliant eight. He hit Mortaza two fours Sandakan then took a catch display of wrist-spin bowling. and a six to please the crowd in off his own bowling to remove His craft was in full display as he outfoxed the 40th over but it was a case Mushfi qur Rahim for one but Glenn Maxwell with a googly after being hit for of too little too late to change the Shakib joined Tamim to continue a four two balls previously. course of the game. Bangladesh’s domination. “From childhood, I’ve been taught that a true Tamim, who struck 15 fours The second match of the series spinner would concede runs but will also take and a six on his way to his eighth will be held at the same venue on . That remains my theory,” he said. ODI century earlier, set the plat- Tuesday. Talking about his craft, Kuldeep said left- form for a big total, putting on arm wrist spin came naturally to him. 144 runs with Shakib for the BRIEF SCORES “I was not even aware that this is called Chi- fourth wicket — Bangladesh’s naman bowling. I was initially not happy but best ever partnership against Sri Bangladesh 324 for 5 in then focused on getting better at it. Lanka. 50 overs: Tamim Iqbal 127, “Today, I was backing my skills and the vari- Shakib hit 72 off 71 balls and Shakib Al Hasan 72, Sabbir ations I have.” looked to be headed towards a Rahman 54 Matthew Wade, who made a fi ghting half- century before he swept a Suran- Sri Lanka 234 all out in 45.1 century for Australia, was impressed with Kul- ga Lakmal delivery wide outside overs: Dinesh Chandimal 59, deep’s bag of tricks. off -stump to be caught by Lak- Tisare Perera 51 (Mustafizur “He bowled a lot of diff erent deliveries,” the shan Sandakan at short fi ne leg. 3/56, Mehedi 2/43, Mortaza stumper-batsman said. “Batting till the 45th over is 2/35) “He bowled a lot of leg-spinners with scram- bled seam, his wrong’un with the scramble seam as well. It took a few balls to get used to DEVELOPMENT India’s Kuldeep Yadav bowls against Australia in Dharamsala yesterday. it,” Wade added.

THIRD TEST Saqlain joins as New Zealand DRS bungle aids Proteas in the rain England’s spin bowling consultant AFP becoming the fourth South Afri- when he edged Matt Henry to Hamilton can to total 8,000 career runs. Tom Latham at second slip. After New Zealand’s fi rst re- Dean Elgar was bowled for fi ve IANS view blunder they over-com- when he shouldered arms to a Lahore ew Zealand’s mud- pensated by wasting two reviews Colin de Grandhomme ball that dled use of the review on correctly-called not out de- came back from outside the off system allowed Faf du cisions which left them helpless stump. Henry also accounted for ormer Pakistan off -spin- Plessis and Hashim to contest another decision for Duminy to have fi gures of two ner Saqlain Mushtaq NAmla to lead a South African re- 51 overs when the second new for 25 while de Grandhomme yesterday revealed that covery on a rain-hit day one of ball became available. bowled Amla and fi nished the the England and Wales the third Test in Hamilton yes- The magnitude of the error day with two for 43. CricketF Board (ECB) has hired terday. became apparent minutes later him as a spin bowling consultant New Zealand had lost their when Bruce Oxenford Scoreboard for two years. two reviews by the 29th over, missed a faint edge from du South Africa first innings “ECB has hired my services for and were powerless to react 13 Plessis off the luckless Wagner T. de Bruyn c Latham b Henry ..0 two years and I have to work 100 balls later when the umpires which was taken by BJ Watling D. Elgar b de Grandhomme ...... 5 days a year with them. My main missed a faint edge which should behind the stumps. H. Amla b de Grandhomme ...50 duty will be with the England have seen du Plessis caught be- It continued a charmed run J. Duminy c Patel b Henry ...... 20 cricket team but I will also work hind for 16. at the crease for du Plessis who F. du Plessis not out ...... 33 with young and rising spinners At stumps, the Proteas’ cap- has seven fours in his 33, includ- T. Bavuma not out...... 13 in English cricket,” Mushtaq was well in England’s tour of India tain had advanced to 33, Temba ing from edges over the wick- Extras: (lb1, w1) ...... 2 quoted as saying by Pakistani and I am hopeful that I will be Bavuma was on 13 and South Af- Matt Henry of New Zealand (R) unsuccessfully appeals for the etkeeper, through the slips and Total (four wickets; 41 overs) daily Dawn. able to guide them to more suc- rica were 123 for four. wicket of Jean-Paul Duminy (C) of South Africa during day one of just wide of gully. 123 Saqlain, who has previous- cess,” he said. Only 41 overs were possible the third Test match at Seddon Park in Hamilton yesterday. But there were mixed fortunes Fall of wickets: 1-5 (de Bruyn), ly worked with England, New Saqlain also revealed that the with nearly three hours play for du Plessis at the start of the 2-5 (Elgar), 3-64 (Duminy), 4-97 Zealand, and the West Indies as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lost because of rain and further the toss and electing to bat. signalled a direct hit. day. (Amla) a spin bowling coach, is hope- had once approached him for a showers forecast for the remain- It would have been three for Duminy went on to make 20 He won the toss for the eighth To bat: Quinton de Kock, Ver- ful that the English duo of Adil coaching role more than a year ing four days have diminished 28 if not for the fi rst New Zea- in a 59-run stand for the third consecutive time in New Zea- non Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Rashid and Moeen Ali will ben- ago, but there was no follow up the chance of a result. land judgement error of the day. wicket with Amla before being land but then saw both openers Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada. efi t a lot with his guidance. from the board. South Africa, starting the Test They decided not to review removed just before lunch. fall cheaply. Bowling: Henry 10-2-25-2 (1w), “Both Adil Rashid and Moeen “If people ask why Saqlain has with an unbeatable 1-0 series a rejected Neil Wagner lbw ap- Amla went soon after the Debutant Theunis de Bruyn’s de Grandhomme 16-3-43-2, Wag- Ali are very talented and are al- not worked with the PCB yet, lead, were two down for fi ve runs peal against JP Duminy on seven break for 50, his 32nd half-cen- introduction to ner 13-2-44-0, Patel 2-0-10-0 ready making a mark in interna- then they should redirect their in the fourth over after winning when the ball tracker technology tury and was left 67 runs short of ended with a third-ball duck Toss: South Africa tional cricket. They performed questions to the PCB,” he said.

Sunday, March 26, 2017 GULF TIMES SPORT

10TH FIG ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CUP CRICKET Kuldeep fl ips India’s fortunes aft er Smith Tingting clinches century on Day One

Reuters Warner but Karun Nair spilled it Dharamsala at third slip. India did not have to wait long for the breakthrough though. ustralia skipper Steve In the next over, Umesh Yadav two gold medals Smith’s third century pushed one through Matt Ren- of the series and India shaw’s gate and pegged back his spinner Kuldeep Ya- off -stump to dismiss the opener dav’sA memorable debut left the for one. fourth and fi nal Test between the Smith and Warner laid the teams evenly poised yesterday. foundation for a big fi rst innings Smith, comfortably the lead- total with a century partnership ing scorer of the series, made during which Smith’s character- on the fi nal day 111 as he and David Warner, who istic fl uency contrasted Warner’s scored 56, added 134 runs for the scratchy knock. second wicket to help Australia Warner brought up his fi rst ‘Tingting is a star in the making. She has been very impressive and I wish her luck’ dominate the morning session fi fty of the series after Smith had after opting to bat. reached his own, before Kuldeep Left-arm wrist-spinner Ya- led India’s fi ghtback after lunch By Sahan Bidappa dav, an inspirational selection in with brilliant display of wrist- Doha India’s bold move to go with fi ve spin bowling. bowlers, led the hosts’ strong The 22-year-old generated comeback in the post-lunch ses- extra bounce and the ball fl ew off aving been labelled as sion when fi ve wickets tumbled the shoulder of Warner’s bat en the rising star of gym- for 64 runs. route to India’s stop-gap skipper nastics, teenager Liu Matthew Wade made 57 down Ajinkya Rahane at slip. Tingting justifi ed the the order to help Australia reach Umesh dismissed Shaun tagH yesterday by winning the 300 before the tourists folded Marsh for four before Kuldeep two gold medals at the 10TH leaving India to bat the fi nal over (4-68) returned to further tor- FIG Artistic Gymnastics World of the day, a maiden one from ment the tourists. Cup in Doha. Josh Hazlewood. The Uttar Pradesh player Barely 16 years of age, Wade conceded Australia lost disturbed Peter Handscomb’s Tingting made heads turn when an opportunity to post a bigger stumps and then bamboozled she performed at the Aspire total. “(Australia were) one for Glenn Maxwell with a brilliant Dome on the fi nal day of the 140, so after lunch you hope to googly to peg back Australia. championship. Despite being push but credit to the Indians Smith brought up his 20th test very short, the Chinese is sen- who bowled really well through century in 150 balls to steer Aus- sational in her movements and the middle session,” he told re- tralia past the 200-run mark be- that was on display in abun- porters. fore edging Ravichandran Ash- dance yesterday. “We had to fi nd a way to grind win to Rahane in the slip. She fi rst struck gold in the out 300. To get there in the end Smith faced 173 balls during Balance Beam, where Tingting was a good eff ort.” his composed knock, hitting 14 was second last to perform. Openers Lokesh Rahul, who boundaries. With Catalina Ponor, a triple faced all six deliveries from Wade and Pat Cummins, who gold medallist at the 2004 Ath- Hazlewood, and Murali Vijay made 21, defi ed the Indian bowl- ens Olympics, already occupy- will hope to give India a strong ers for nearly 13 overs before be- ing the top spot, Tingting need- start when they resume today. ing separated. ed something special to usurp The hosts received a jolt even “All four wickets are special the Romanian. And the teenager before a ball was bowled when but I guess the fi rst wicket (of executed it to perfection, not regular skipper Virat Kohli was Warner) was important from the losing her balance in the highly ruled out of the match with a team’s point of view,” Kuldeep diffi cult apparatus, where not shoulder injury he had sus- said. falling of the beam is essen- tained in the drawn third test in “They did not take a chance tial. The Chinese star picked Ranchi. against me and were largely con- up highest execution score of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, replac- tent taking singles. I didn’t face 8.366 and a total of 14.466 to pip ing fellow paceman Ishant Shar- any problem.” Ponor, who had collected 13.900 ma, swung the fi rst ball of the The four-Test series is level at points. The third place also went match to induce an edge from 1-1. to China with Huan Luo fi nish- ing on 13.700. Australia’s Emily Little, who won a bronze at the Melbourne leg last month, came fourth (13.200). “I am satisfi ed with my over- all performance,” Ponor told re- porters after collecting her silver medal. “Tingting is a star in the mak- ing. She has been very impres- sive and I wish her luck,” added the Romanian. Tingting claimed her sec- ond gold of the evening in the Floor Exercise, her strongest and also most favourite appara- tus. Twisting and turning like a spring, she performed brilliant- ly to amass 13.366. Australia’s Emily Little (13.133) came second followed China’s Liu Tingting performing during the balance beam final of the 10th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma by Croatia’s Ana Derek (12.900). Uzbekistan’s 41-year-old Oksa- na Chusovitina, who won gold in Vault on Friday, was unable to produce any magic as she fi n- Australia’s captain Steven Smith celebrates his century against India ished last (12.266) among eight in Dharamsala yesterday. (Reuters) fi nalists. Tingting would have been de- lighted with her performance in Doha, having had to a diffi cult last year. The Chinese girl had missed out on Rio Olympics par- ticipation after suff ering a hand injury while training on Parallel Bars. And she seems to making up for that misfortune. She had also qualifi ed for the Uneven Bars fi nal, but had failed to fi nish on the podium on Friday. Meanwhile, China also won two of the three gold medals on off er in the men’s section. Zhou Jingyuan picked up his second India’s Kuldeep Yadav (second left) celebrates the dismissal of medal in the competition, win- Australia’s Glenn Maxwell with his teammates. (Reuters) ning gold in the Parallel Bars. Zhou, who won a bronze in the SCOREBOARD Rings on the fi rst day, collected an impressive 15.900 points. Australia 1st innings Germany’s Marcel Nguyen came D. Warner c Rahane b K. Yadav ...... 56 second (15.066), while Switzer- M. Renshaw b U. Yadav ...... 1 land’s Pablo Braegger fi nished S. Smith c Rahane b Ashwin ...... 111 third (14.800). S. Marsh c Saha b U. Yadav ...... 4 In the last event of the Cham- P. Handscomb b K. Yadav ...... 8 pionship, Ruoteng Xiao com- G. Maxwell b K. Yadav ...... 8 pleted China’s domination, M. Wade b Jadeja ...... 57 when he won in the Horizontal P. Cummins c and b K. Yadav...... 21 Bar with 14.533 points. Tin Sribic S. O’Keefe run out ...... 8 of Croatia took bronze (14.400) N. Lyon c Pujara b Kumar ...... 13 and Switzerland’s Christian J. Hazlewood not out ...... 2 Baumann silver (14.166). Extras (b1, lb10) 11 Meanwhile, Vietnam’s Thanh Total (for all out, 88.3 overs) 300 Tung Le had a perfect landing to Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Renshaw), 2-144 (Warner), 3-153 (Marsh), 4-168 win the men’s vault fi nal, where China’s Zhou Jingyuan (C), Germany’s Marcel Nguyen (L) and Switzerland’s Pablo Braegger celebrate on the podium of Parallel Bars yesterday. (Handscomb), 5-178 (Maxwell), 6-208 (Smith), 7-245 (Cummins), there was no Chinese participa- 8-269 (O’Keefe), 9-298 (Wade), 10-300 (Lyon). tion. Tung Le scored 14.733 points, Around 240 gymnasts and RESULTS (FINALS) 2. Catalina Ponor (ROU) 13.900 2. Emily Little (AUS) 13.133 Bowling: Kumar 12.3-2-41-1, U. Yadav 15-1-69-2, Ashwin 23-5-54-1, to push Armenia’s Artur Davytan, offi cials from 30 countries par- Men’s Vault 3. Huan Luo (CHN) 13.700 3. Ana Derek (CRO) 12.900 Jadeja 15-1-57-1, K. Yadav 23-3-68-4. a crowd favourite, to second spot. ticipated in the four-day cham- 1. Thanh Tung Le (VIE) 14.733 Men’s Parallel Bars India 1st innings Davytan executed his Vault per- pionship. Apart from the World 2. Artur Davytan (ARM) 14.433 1. Zhou Jingyuan (CHN) 15.900 Men’s Horizontal Bars L. Rahul not out ...... 0 fectly, but could not match Tung Cup next year, the Qatar Gym- 3. Heikki Saarenketo (FIN) 2. Marcel Nguyen (GER) 15.066 1. Xiao Ruoteng (CHN) 14.533 M. Vijay not out ...... 0 Le and came second with 14.433 nastics Federation will also host 14.366 3. Pablo Braegger (SUI) 14.800 2. Tin Srbic (CRO) 14.400 Extras (0) 0 Total (for no loss, 1 over) 0 while Finland’s Heikki Saarenketo the World Championships in Women’s Balance Beam Women’s Floor Exercise 3. Christian Baumann (SUI) Bowling: Hazlewood 1-1-0-0. (14.366) fi nished third. October 2018. 1. Liu Tingting (CHN) 14.466 1. Liu Tingting (CHN) 13.366 14.166